THE LAW IS A RESPECTER OF NO MAN

Rev Richard Peters

The case between sen. Bassey Albert Akpan and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a new dimension as the High Court in Uyo sentenced him to 42 years in prison. This has fueled so much controversies, accusations and counter-accusations in some quarters, and it is pertinent that this issue be holistically addressed accordingly.

Although those loyal to the embattled senator who has been in the case since 2014 are pointing accusing fingers at the state governor Udom Emmanuel, giving it a political colouration and branding it a politically sponsored travail using interpersonal deceptive theory to whip sentiment and mislead members of the public, the truth of the matter should be restated.

The theory so adopted by OBA'S men involves the use of intentional deception which requires greater cognitive exertion than truthful communication, especially when the sender of the message attempts falsification (lying), concealment (omitting material facts) or equivocation (skirting issues by changing the subject or responding indirectly).

However, to put the records straight, there is need for one to have an understanding of the genesis of the case.

In May 10, 2010, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan(then the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Finance) was alleged to have received from Jide Omokore , a business man (who was later picked by the EFCC for questioning,) a BMW X5 (Bulletproof) worth N50 million; in December 2012 another Infinity QX 56(bulletproof) worth N45 million was also received from the same source, and 4 other luxury vehicles worth millions of naira each.

It is also interesting to note that OBA has directly admitted that he received all the said vehicles, though for campaign purposes, a position that the EFCC vehemently opposed to, as they claimed that those vehicles were luxury vehicles, and were proceeds of corruption, which contravenes section 15(12)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, as (amended) and punishable by section 15(3) of the same Act.

Quite interesting is the fact that it was Barr. Leo Ekpenyong, a strong supporter of Bassey Albert (who equally dragged Godswill Akpabio to the EFCC, though he later dropped Akpabio's case but held on to OBA's case) that petitioned Bassey Albert to the EFCC since 2014 when Governor Udom Emmanuel was not yet a governor. OBA was arrested; the bullet proof vehicles were recovered and statements of accounts he paid the said monies to were traced, tendered and admitted in court as evidence. He was later granted bail because he pleaded not guilty and continued to battle with the case since then till yesterday when the case was decided.

Remember, the case was not between Governor Udom Emmanuel or the State or an agency of the state, but was between the EFCC, an agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Bassey Albert.
Then, how come OBA'S loyalists are crying that Gov. Udom Emmanuel influenced the case to destabilize OBA's gubernatorial ambition.

Gov. Emmanuel has consistently stated that he does not even know the facts of the case, and is not directly or indirectly involved since it was the federal government agency that dragged OBA to court and not the state.

How come OBA'S campaign team described the verdict as travesty of justice? Let's put the records straight.

Did OBA at an open court accept that he received these luxury vehicles? Yes, he did.

Again, were these vehicles not recovered from him by the EFCC? The answer is a big Yes.

Now, it is common knowledge to note that whenever a case is brought to court, the court considers the merits of the case and the facts/evidence before it.

In the case between OBA and the EFCC, the later has proven beyond any reasonable doubts the need for OBA's prosecution, based on the evidences so brought before the court .

The EFCC has been able to prove that OBA during the period of purchase and collection of the vehicles, was the state commissioner for finance, and the chairman of the Inter-ministerial and Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

While on the saddle of this committee, he(OBA) paid money into Omokore's company's account (and evidence of the payment was tendered to the court by the EFCC), and subsequently took delivery of the vehicles which he admitted to. These are clear evidences which he has not denied.

Then what is the role of Gov. Udom Emmanuel in his travail? The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria does not give a state governor power to discontinue such case, except the Attorney General of Nigeria who reserves the right to do so. If Gov. Emmanuel had such power, he would have helped him out, especially when political interest did not take OBA to YPP.

Again, does a state governor have the right to interfere in any judicial jurisprudence? Does the governor have any right to decide the sentencing in court, as to the verdict the judge should give? The answer is NO. Then the accusation that Gov. Emmanuel has a hand in the sentencing handed down to OBA is uncalled for, false, baseless and a total waste of time.

A cursory look into the character of Governor Udom Emmanuel clearly shows that he doesn't play politics of bitterness and hatred. The Governor is a man that believes in the rule of law and respects democratic principles. It amounts to gross ignorance and strange to attempt to perceive the governor as a vindictive person, an attempt that has already failed a reality test. Governor Udom Emmanuel will continue to play politics with human face and good conscience, and no amount of deceit peddled around can change this glaring fact.

This is simply an attempt to cause unnecessary infraction in the state and incite the people against the state government and its functionaries.

The case is crystal clear and does not have any political colouration as the facts of the matter were kept bare before the court, and appropriate verdict given in line with the law.

If the YPP are not satisfied with the judgment, there are legal means to seek redress and not to start instigating members of the public against the governor using interpersonal deceptive theory. This is condemnable and would not be tolerated.

The law is a respecter of no man, and whoever offends the law should be ready to face the consequences, or make use of the available avenues known to law to seek redress.

Even though his travails were instigated, if he had no skeleton in his cupboard - He would have been freed!!!